US Millionaire owner of killer car could be released from prison after Midland businessman hit-and-run tragedy

Jul 19 2009 by Nick McCarthy, Sunday Mercury

THE millionaire owner of a car that killed two Midland businessmen in Florida in a 100mph hit-and-run could be released from prison next month.

Ryan LeVin, 34, was sent to prison for two years in May after pleading guilty to violating his parole for a separate car chase in Chicago in 2006.

The court heard LeVin ran over a Chicago cop and injured two other people after racing away from a police road block in his Porsche GT.

He was jailed for failing to complete a drug abuse course and for driving whilst banned.

But his release date is already scheduled for the end of August.

LeVin denies that he was driving his white Porsche 911 Turbo that careered out of control at 100mph, mounting a pavement and killing Midland businessmen Kenneth Watkinson and Craig Elford on February 13.

He has since named friend Derek Cook, 37, as being behind the wheel.

But police have not charged anybody for the fatal smash.

Mr Watkinson, 48, a dad of three and Mr Elford, 39, a dad of two, were both mown down just yards away from their Florida hotel.

The cowardly driver fled from scene and dumped the £110,000 sports car.

The vehicle was seen racing another car along the beach front before the fatal smash and was later found dumped.